Northampton man cited for shooting deer decoy

A Northampton man's pride in bringing down a buck one cold November night rapidly deflated when he discovered the "deer" he illegally shot was a Pennsylvania Game Commission decoy.

Aaron M. Krause, 18, allegedly turned a spotlight on what he believed to be a deer standing in a West Penn Township, Schuylkill County, field about 10 p.m. Nov. 18.

He fired several rounds from a high-powered rifle at the realistic-looking decoy, but took off in his pickup truck when wildlife conservation officers approached, according to a report recently released by state police at Frackville.

Krause, accompanied by two boys, led the officers on a chase through West Penn and East Brunswick townships, said police.

Krause eventually stopped the truck and he and the boys ran away. The state Game Commission learned that Krause was driving the truck and that he shot at the decoy.

State police charged Krause with failing to heed seven stop signs and reckless and careless driving.

Krause also faces a citation for causing about $100 in damage to the decoy.